Increasingly, people are realizing the importance of eating local foods not only for their freshness and taste, but because doing so reestablishes the broken connection between the consumer and the farmer, sustains the economic basis for a rural way of life, reduces the carbon footprint of food production, and encourages sustainable farming practices.  Although northern Chester County has long offered local food options, the last few years have seen an explosion in the availability of farms offering community-supported agriculture (CSA) shares, farm markets and stands, and locally produced meats and artisanal products like cheese, yogurt, and bread. 

At the Trust, we see the protection of our local agricultural economy as a critical component of our mission.  Without economic utility, conserved land is ultimately not sustainable.  Thus, the growth of the local food movement is a promising development, which inspired a couple of new Trust projects.

Introducing Homegrown

The first of these local food projects was the spring publication of Homegrown, a free guide to local food producers in and around northern Chester County.  With the generous sponsorship of Kimberton Whole Foods, Mr. and Mrs. Colin McNeil, Sugartown Smoked Specialties, and Mantis, the Trust was able to offer information on nearly 80 local food producers and purveyors in a mailing to 17,000 regional households. Listed businesses include CSAs, farm markets, farm stands, dairy and meat producers, bakers, restaurants, and producers of miscellaneous agricultural specialties such as pumpkins, wine, heirloom seeds, and wool.

After Homegrown was published we were excited to learn that it brought new business to several of those listed, including from other local food providers in the guide.  For example, Kolb’s Farm Store in East Coventry began offering organic produce from Jack’s Farm in North Coventry.  Frank, chef-owner of Henry’s Café in Pottstown connected with new sources of local products, including Stimigo Farm in West Vincent. Another local chef made a project of visiting every local food producer in the guide.

The second project to emanate from the Trust’s local food initiative was an outdoor summer dinner featuring local foods.  Held August 1 at the Trust’s former headquarters, Coventry House, the Homegrown Harvest Supper and Hoedown showcased produce, meats, cheese and dairy products from many of the purveyors listed in Homegrown. The supper drew more than 250 hungry diners, who mingled with local food providers and sampled their wares while listening to live music. After dinner, Dr. Richard Fried led square dancing on the old tennis court, while board  members Su Kenderdine and Jim Klein led the young children present in old-fashioned relay games.

For more information on the Homegrown Harvest Supper and Hoedown and for pictures from the event, visit our Homegrown Harvest page.